Our Board of Directors

OUR 2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sarah Renon - President

I joined this wonderful board in spring of 2021 during my daughter’s first year as a Chipmunk. We fell in love with this school as soon as we visited and I am so happy to give back to this community in some way. I live on the Seacoast with my husband and three children. During my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with our hound shepherd mix, cooking and playing the violin. I look forward to seeing the Acorn students thrive over the next few years!

Eli Skovron - Vice President

My name is Eli Skovron and this is my second year on the Acorn School Board.  My oldest son, Prescott, is currently a Mighty Oak and my youngest son, Scout, will be a Chipmunk in the fall.  I work as an office manager for a company on Pease and I also coach field hockey at Exeter High School.  My husband, my kids and I live in Stratham, NH with our two cats, Frances and Ella, and our dog, Molly.  I’m honored to be part of the Acorn School Board so that I have the opportunity to give back to this wonderful community.

Debra Grott - Treasurer

My name is Debra Grott and I have been on the Acorn Board of Directors since September 2014 serving as Treasurer. Two of my three children who are now 33 and 27, were lucky enough to be Chipmunks and the Woolly Bears at Acorn School. Some of their closest friends were from their years at Acorn School. I am honored to be a part of the same strong traditions, educational concepts and loving environment which our  family experienced over 25 years ago. I currently work as a CPA in the Seacoast area, as well as, a Field Hockey coach at Exeter High School. I live in Rye Beach, NH with my family and our dog, LuLu and cat, Lola. Most importantly I have 4 grandchildren!!!!

Annmarie Stucker - Secretary
Hello! My name is Annmarie Stucker and I joined the Acorn board in spring 2021. I live in Hampton Falls with my husband and four children, Will, Luke, Max, and Sam.
Will, Luke, and Max completed two years at Acorn and last fall Sam began his Chipmunk year! His brothers tell him all the time how much fun they had at Acorn and he cannot wait to experience it for himself!
I have been apart of the Acorn community for a lot of years and I am so honored that I am in a position where I can volunteer my time and give back to Acorn after all the wonderful experiences they have given my kids!
Rachel Bendroth

Rachel Bendroth is an Acorn School alumni, Acorn School enthusiast, and a future Acorn School parent. She just moved back to the Seacoast with her 3 year old son, Jack. She is passionate about trauma informed parenting, sensory development, and foster care. She and her son enjoy spending time with her family, playing outside (#1000hours), and traveling (pre-Pandemic). Rachel is a Nurse Practitioner at OHSU in Portland, Oregon, where she works remotely. 

Isabel Blunt

I joined the Acorn School board in 2023, when my oldest son, Wyatt, was a Chipmunk. My husband, Ben, Wyatt, future Chipmunk, Sam, and I live in Newfields. I do some freelance strategic communications consulting and serve on the Board of the Friends of the Newfields Public Library, and love to play tennis, cook and read when I can! 

Kari Daigle

My name Is Kari Daigle, I had the honor of joining the Acorn Board in October of 2021. My daughter, Vivienne, attended Acorn as a Chipmunk and Chickadee and absolutely LOVED it. I have been a part of the healthcare field since I was very young, I’m a Registered Nurse at Portsmouth Regional Hospital where I worked as a bedside nurse and followed my passion as an educator where I co-developed the Licensed Nursing Assistant Program and am the co-instructor & educator. I love being part of the Acorn Community and having the opportunity to work behind the scenes of the magical workings of Acorn. I knew that I wanted to be part of Acorn’s growth and amazing impact on the community and all children who attend!

Emily Donatelli

Hi my name is Emily Donatelli. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and have happily lived on the Seacoast coming up on 6 years. Retired early childhood educator and speech therapist of 8 years – turned mama and network marker. I joined the board to have a hand in our child’s education and be a part of such a wonderful community. Becoming a Chipmunk was a big deal for our daughter as all the Donatelli cousins are Acorn graduates. My oldest is off to 1st grade in our town and the youngest is bursting to become a Woolly Bear in the fall. 

Daniele Hosser

Hello! My name is Daniele Hosser and I joined the Acorn School Board of Directors in July 2023. I discovered Acorn School when I was looking for a preschool program for my daughter Olivia in 2021. From the moment I pulled into the school for my tour, I knew it was a very special place. Olivia started as a Chipmunk and is currently a Tadpole, and my son Jack can’t wait to start as Chipmunk in the Fall of 2023. I’m an Account Manager at a marketing agency in Portsmouth, NH and I joined the Board to help Acorn continue to thrive and grow so other seacoast families have a chance to experience the Acorn way. I live in Hampton, NH with my husband, two kiddos and our dog, Hank. I love exploring and traveling with my family, I’m a yogi at heart and when I’m not working you can find me at the beach, no matter the season. 

Heather MacNeill

I joined the Acorn School Board of Directors as an ex officio member in February 2023 and as a full member in July 2023. My daughter was a Chipmunk and then a Chickadee and she blossomed in the supportive, nurturing, and unique learning environment of Acorn. My son will start his Chipmunk year in the fall. I earned my MPA in 2020 and currently direct operations for a small civics education nonprofit in NH. My goal is for my professional experience and personal fondness to collide in service of Acorn School. It truly is a magical place for children.

Christina Connolly

I joined the Acorn School Community in the fall of 2015. My three children are Acorn alum, with my youngest finishiing his Mighty Oak year in spring 2023. It has been such a joy to watch my children spend their precious first school years at a place that cherishes them almost as much as I do. We currently live in Newmarket and enjoy spending as much time as we can in my home state of Southern California (so we’re crazy for Disneyland).  I am honored to be a board member for Acorn School and to help carry on its wonderful traditions.

Jenni Parlin

Hello! I joined the Acorn Board in the Fall of 2021. I have an Acorn graduate and my youngest will be in the 4 year old preschool program in the fall. Thanks to the wonderful staff, my child is excited to go to school each and every day. My children have made so many friendships and thrives in the outdoor environment. Over the next few years I look forward to giving back to this wonderful community.

Patricia Turmelle

I joined the Acorn board in 2023. My oldest daughter is currently a Chipmunk and I also have a future Chipmunk. My husband and I live in Stratham with our two girls. In my spare time I love reading, doing puzzles, playing board games and wakesurfing. I am a former seventh grade math teacher and have stayed home with my girls since they were born. I am very passionate about education. I believe Acorn School is a wonderful place for children to begin their educational journey and I look forward to giving back to this amazing community!

George Venci
Jamie Walker

My name is Jamie Walker (he/him) and I joined Acorn School’s Board of Directors in July 2023. My family and I have been a part of the Acorn Community since my oldest son became a Chipmunk in 2021. After a brief career in Environmental Consulting, I have spent the last ten years working in nature and place based education creating community through the exploration of our connections to self, others and the natural world. I enjoy spending time outside with my family, my wife and two sons, in all forms. I am privileged to live, work and play in N’Dakinna, the unceded traditional ancestral homelands of the Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki Peoples past and present. I am an active learner and sharer of First Skills and currently working to decolonize my learning to bring greater diversity, equity and inclusion to the outdoors. I hope to use these skills and passions to support the mission and vision of Acorn School in the years to come!